IL-18 expression in clinical human pituitary adenoma

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Shao, Qi^a | Liu, Ning^b | Li, Guo-Fu^c | Meng, Qian-Cheng^a | Yao, Jia-Hao^a | Wang, Ning^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] Deparment of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China | [b] Deparment of Neurosurgery, Harbin First Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China | [c] Deparment of Neurosurgery, Third Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Ning Wang, Department of Neurosurgery, First Clinical College, Harbin Medical University, No. 23 of Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China. Tel.: +86 451 8555 5275; Fax: +86 451 8555 5275; E-mail: wangning033@126.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:IL-18 is known as an interferon-inducing factor that belongs to the IL-1 family, and is synthesized as an inactive precursor protein. OBJECTIVE:The present study aims to investigate the expression of IL-18, IL-18R, R and IL-18 binding protein (BP) mRNA in various types of human pituitary tumors, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-producing adenomas and non-function adenomas. METHODS: Pituitary adenoma tissues were obtained during the surgery of 41 patients: nine patients had ACTH-producing pituitary adenomas, nine patients had GH-producing pituitary adenomas, five patients had TSH-producing pituitary adenomas, seven patients had PRL-producing pituitary adenomas, and 11 patients had non-functioning adenomas. The mRNA expression levels of IL-18, IL-18BP, IL-18R and IL-18R were quantified using real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS:The mRNA expression of IL-18 was significantly higher in ACTH-, GH- and PRL-producing adenomas, when compared to non-function tumors. Similarly, a significantly higher mRNA expression of IL-18BP and IL-18R was observed in ACTH-, GH- and PRL-producing adenomas, when compared with non-functional adenomas. In contrast, no upregulation of IL-18R mRNA was observed in any of the pituitary adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: The mRNA levels of IL-18, IL-18BP and IL-18R are significantly elevated in clinical pituitary tumors, such as ACTH-, GH- and PRL-producing adenomas, when compared to non-functional adenomas. These present results suggest the possibility that IL-18 may be involved in the pathogenesis of pituitary adenoma.

Keywords: Interleukin-18, Human pituitary adenoma, Interleukin-18 receptor, gene expression, hormone

DOI: 10.3233/THC-191967

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 11-16, 2022